Gaseous fuel cutting torch with reversibly positioned valve lever



1954 E. J. CLINTON, JR 2,666,479

GASEOUS FUEL CUTTING TORCH WITH REVERSIBLY POSITIONED VALVE LEVER Filed Aug. 11, 1949 1). if: v

FIG. 2

8 26 3O 22 23 32 3a 39 47 w ECIQEIQQQQQQE INVENTOR EDWARD J. CLINTON JR B Y Y flw-d M, man,

ATTORNEYS Patented Jan. 1 9, 1954 v aa'sseae GAsEoUs miEL CUTTING 'ronon -WIT-H REYERSIBLYPOSITIONED VALVE LEVER saawaramnnntoma Chatham, N. "assign'or 'to Reduction "Company, incorporated, "a f conporationof New-Jersey nppircanonnugustn, maj'ser'in'm. 109,736

This invention "relates to hand torches 'i'cr the cuttingandscarhng of-metals; v r

In torches of this typeone of the-m'ost important features of construction and" operation is the valve that controls cutting or scarfing oxygen, because this valve is in almost contmuous use-b the operator, The=construction and "operation of this valveimptiontorhes'have notal- Ways been-wholly satisfactoryforseveral reasons. Onecf the reasons 'is that it has "been extreme- 'lv difficult or even impossible to obtain refined control of the oxygen fiow. A, sudden surge of oxygen frequently occurs "when the valve is *first opened even-a minute amount. Althoughjthereafter, the flow increases at I a substantially constant-rate asthe-va'lve is opened further, slight movements ofthe'valve' operating lever sometimes "result in large flow variations. Du e primarily to the first'sudden'surge of oxygen it is difiicult to control a cutting or scar-ling "operationas carefully as is desired.

Another reason why prior hand cutting and scarring torches have not been entirely satisfactory is that over a period o'ftime "their'operati'on becomes fatiguing to the operator. Most torch operators acquire their own personal preferences as to the manner of holding and "operating the -torch, some preferring that the operating lever the oxygen valve, which is'usually mounted 'onthe torch handlegbe situate'd'onthe lower side of the torch, while others prefer'that it belocated on the top of the torch. The 'construc'tion of prior torches does notpermit the position of the valve-operating lever to be changed :as desired by the operator, because the lever and the linkage from it to the valve are arranged in afixed relation to the valve itself in such a manner that a change in position of the lever is impossible.

According to thisinvention, the torch valve that controls the cutting or scarfing oxygen is so controlof the flow ofnxygenbutit is extremely simple I in construction. A. short cylindrical rod having a tapered end, hereinaftercalled the valve member, constitutes the 'm'ovable member of the 'valve and takes ltheplacewofthe usual Valve relie m'ent andvalve stem nt-waive members sua- --ring which acts as a, seal to prevent "the gas fr bfn escaping around the valve member beyond the outle'tga's passage. "The pressure 'of'thein'c'ornin'g gas acting on the valve member at its tapered end tends to move the valve member longitudinal- 'lyandunseat it,"but'it"is normallyretained 's'e'ated by mechanical pressure ei ferted "on its rear end by operating'mechanism which may be inanually actuated to release"themechanical pressure "and thereby permit the valve member'to open. "The operating mechanism for the valve comprises a hand actuated lever and "o eratiiig 'connectionsbetween it"ahd the valve mem'b rand including a part which contacts with the rear en or the valve member. A spring in jjtne "opcrating "connections normally retains all parts of the valve operating mechanism "in'a position such that said part'vvhich contacts "with the r'ear end of "the valve member exerts the above-merr- 'tioned mechanical ressure on the valve memher to retain it seatedjbu't vvhenth'e'hand actuated lever is depressed this part is retracted, thereby permitting the gas pressure acting on the valve member to move it longitudinally and open the valve. The hand actuated lever and the operat ing connections between it and the valve member are pivotally mounted on two pins carried by the valv'e'bl'o'ck and located symmetrically at opposite sides of 'thevalve member. Thepins are rem'ow able so that the hand actuated lever and thecp crating connections can be removed and their position on the pins interchanged whereby the hand lever may be shifted from a position below the torch handle to a position above "it or vise versa. k I

A hand cutting torch having a cutting oxygen valve and reversible valve-o erating mechanism of the kind contemplated by the inve tion is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in

which: v

Fig. l is a side elevation of the torch, Fig. 2 is a partial sectional view of the torch showing the construction of the cutting oxygen valve and its operating mechanism,

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing the operating mechanism moved to a position which permits opening of the valve,

Fig. 4 is a partial sectional view of the torch showing the operating mechanism for the valve in reversed position, and

Fig. 5 is a transverse section taken along line 5-5 of Fig. 2, some portions of the operating mechanism being removed.

Referring to the drawings and particularly to Fig. 1, a cutting torch I0 is provided with a head I in which is mounted the usual tip |2. A valve block 3 is located at the rear end of the torch and is provided with fittings l4 and IE to which suitable conduits are attached for feeding oxy-.

gen, and a fuel gas such as acetylene, to the valve block. A throttling valve IS in valve block l3 controls the flow of acetylene which passes from the valve block through suitable conduits within a tubular handle portion IT to a forward valve block 8, and thence tonne of the connecting tubes l9, by which it is carried to the torch head Oxygen is carried from valve block |3-forwardly through suitable conduits located within handle portion IT to the valve block l8 where it is apportioned between the cutting oxygen stream and the preheating oxygen stream, the preheating oxygen then passing through one of the connecting tubes. IE to the torch head II where it is mixed with the acetylene to form a combustible gas mixture for the preheating flames. The flow of preheating oxygen is controlled by a valve in the block I8. The flow of cutting oxygen is controlled by a hand actuated lever 2|.

The cutting oxygen valve and its operating mechanism are shown most clearly in the cutaway views of Figs. 2-4. The valve consists of a valve block 22 and a cylindrical rod 23 constituting a piston-like valve member. The rear part of the valve block is bifurcated thus forming two rearwardly proiecting spaced portions 22a and 22b (Fig. 5). The valve block also has a central bore 24 constituting a cylindrical valve 5 member. The forward end of the valve chamber is provided with a conical'portion 24 (Fig. 3) forming a valve seat. An inlet gas passage 25 communicates with the valve chamber at the apex of the conical portion 24' of the chamber. The valve member 23 has a tapered forward end 26 which is adapted to seaton the conical seat portion 24' of the valve chamber. An O-ring 21 of rubber or other suitable material is carried in an annular groove in the tapered forward end of the valve member and serves as a seal when the valve member is seated. A second O-ring 28 is located in an annular groove in the cylindrical body portion of the valve member to the rearward of its tapered forward end. An outlet passage 30 leads from the valve chamber.24 at a point along its cylindrical wall between its conical forward end and that portion of its wall contacted by the O-ring 28. The pressure of 'the incoming gas acts against the valve member 24 to open the valve, and when the valve is opened, the annular O-ring 28 prevents the escape of gas rearwardly past it and thus the gas may only leave the valve chamber by outlet passage 30;

Inorder to close the valve, however, a-positive force must be applied to the rear end of the valve member and this force is applied thereto by the spring means and valve-operating mechanism which will be subsequently described. Oxygen released by the valve passes. throug t discharge or outlet passage 30 which delivers it to one of the connecting tubes l9 and thence to the head H and tip I2.

The operating mechanism for the valve includes a bell-crank lever 32 pivotally supported on a pin 33 (Figs. 2 and 3) extending between the spaced portions 22a and 22b of the bifurcated rear end of the valve block. One end of hand lever 2| is pivotally supported by a similarly mounted pin 34 (Figs. 3 and 4), the pins 33 and 34 being mounted in the valve block symmetrically with respect to the valve member above and below it. One arm 35 of the bell-crank lever extends across the rear end of the valve member 23 and is adapted to contact it and to force it forwardly into the valve chamber 24 so that its tapered forward end seats upon the seat portion 24 of the valve chamber when the bell-crank lever is turned clockwise (as viewed in Figs. 3 and 4) on its supporting pin. When turned on its supporting pin in the opposite direction, the bell-crank lever permits the valve member to be moved outwardly in the valve chamber by the pressure of the oxygen supply, thereby opening the valve and allowing the passage of oxygen through it.

'A connecting link 31, angular in shape, is pivotally connected to the distal end of the second arm 38 of the bell-crank lever by a pin 39, and to the hand lever 2| by means of pin 40. Operation of the hand lever 2| imparts movement to the bell-crank lever through this connecting link. A coil spring 42 is mounted between the arm 35 of the bell-crank lever and the connecting link 31, one end being seated in a recess 43 in the arm of the bell-crank lever, and the other end in a recess 44 in the connecting link. A screw 45 has one end threaded into arm 35 of the bell-crank lever and extends through the coil spring and through an enlarged opening 46 in the connecting link. The screw 45 provides additional support for the spring '42 and has a head 41 which is larger than the enlarged opening 46 in the connecting link for a purpose which will be subsequently explained.

As shown in Fig. 5, each. of the supporting pins 33 and 34 is mounted in two aligned openings in the spaced portions of the bifurcated rear end of the valve block 22, one of the openings being threaded to receive a threaded portion 48 at the end of the pin. Thus the pins can be positioned and removed like screws, openings 49 and 50 being provided in the handle portion I! of the torch through which they can be positioned in and re-.- moved-from the valve block. Because these supporting pins are symmetrically located with re spect to the valve member 23, the operating mechanism for the valve may be reversed to positlon the hand lever 2| at the top of the torch handle, as shown in dotted lines in Figs. 1 and 4. To accomplish this reversahpins 33 and 34 are first removed and then the valve-operating mechanism is removed through a slot 5| in the torch handle H, which is, provided to accommodate hand lever 2|. The valve-operating mechanism, including hand lever 2|, bell-crank lever 32, connecting link 31 and spring 42, is held tQgether when removed by reason of screw 45 the head of which will not pass through enlarged openingfifi o f link 31. The handle casing H, which is rotatable on the front and rear valve blockswhen. the supporting pins and valve-operatingmechanism'are removed, is then rotated so that slot 5| is located at the top of the torch. In this position the openings 49 and 50 in the or the bell crank lever, said connecting link havF- ing an enlarged opening through which said scre'w J extends, and said spring being a coil spring. mounted on the screw and compressed jbetween said valve-contacting arm and said connecting" link.

'7. A hand torch as set forth in claim 6 in which said screw has a head at its distal end larger thanthe enlarged opening in the connecting link whereby passage of the screw entirely through the opening is prevented.

8. A hand torch having a valve block provided with a cylindrical valve chamber extending lengthwise of the torch the forward end of which is'conical in shape and constitutes a valve seat and the rear end of which is open, a gas passageway communicating with the cylindrical valve chamber at the apex of its conical end, a second gas passageway communicating with said valve chamber at a point along its cylindrical wall, a cylindrical valve member freely movable in said valve chamber, said valve member having a t2". pered end adapted to seat on said conical seat portion at the forward end of the valve chamber when the valve member is urged into the valve chamber, a groove formed in the tapered'end of the valve member, an Oring mounted in said groove, an annular groove formed in the cylindrical portion of the valve member, an O-ring mounted in said annular groove, said annular groove and said last-mentioned O-ring being located on the valve member at such a position that the O-ring always engages the cylindrical wall of the valve chamber closer to the rear open end of the valve chamber than the point at which said second passageway communicates with it, a pair of supporting pins carried b the torch and symmetrically located with respect to the valve member and adjacent the rear end thereof, a hand lever pivotally mounted on one pin, a bellcrank lever pivotally mounted on the other pin and having a valve contacting arm extending across the rear end of the valve member, a link connecting the distal end of the other arm of the bell-crank lever to the hand lever whereby move ment of said hand lever from a normal position turns the bell-crank lever about the axis of its supporting pin in a direction to move the valvecontacting arm of the bell-crank lever rearward- 1y so that the valve member may be moved by gas pressure rearwardly in the valve chamber thereby allowing passage of gas from one gas passageway to the other, and a spring biasing the hand lever to its normal position and the bellcrank lever to the position in which its valvecontacting arm maintains the valve member in the valve chamber with its tapered face seated on the seat portion of the'chamber.

9. A hand torch as set forth in claim 8 in which said spring is mounted between and bears against the connecting link and the valve-contacting arm of the bell-crank lever.

10. A hand torch having a valve block provided with a cylindrical valve chamber at the forward end of which is a conical valve seat, the rear end of the valve block being bifurcated, a substantially cylindrical valve member freely movable in said valve chamber and having a tapered forward end adapted to cooperate with thevalve seat of the valve chamber, the rear end of the valve member extending between the two portions of the bifurcated end of the valve block, a pair of sup orting pins mounted in the two portions of the bifurcated end of the valve block and extending across the space therebetween, said pins being located symmetrically with respect to the valve member, a hand lever having one end pivotally mounted on'one of the supporting pins and extending into the space between the two portions of the bifurcated end of the valve block, a bellcrank lever pivotally mounted on the other pin and extending partially within the space between said two portions of the bifurcated end of the valve block, one arm of the bell-crank lever being a valve-contacting arm extending across the :rear end of the valve member, a link connecting the distal end of the other arm of the bell-crank lever to the hand lever whereby movement of the hand lever from a normal position turns the bellcrank lever about the axis of its supporting pin in a direction to move the valve-contacting arm of the bell-crank lever rearwardly so that the valve member may be moved by gas pressure rearwardly in the valve chamber away from the valve seat, and a spring biasing the hand lever to its normal position'and the bell-crank lever to the position in which itsvalve-contacting arm maintains the valve member seated.

11. A. hand torch having a valve block provided with a bore extending into one end thereof formring a cylindrical valve chamber, said valve chamber having a conical end forming a valve seat within the valve block, the valve block being provided with an inlet gas passage communicatingwith said conical valve seat, an annular groove formed in the tapered end' of the valve member, an O-ring mounted in said annular groove, an annular groove formed in the cylindrical portion of the valve member, an O-ring mounted in said last-mentioned annular groove, said last-mentioned annular groove and O-ring being located on the valve member at such a position that the O-ring al a s engages the cylindrical wall of the valve chamber closer to the open end of the valve chamber than the point at which said outlet gas passage communicates with it. the pressure of the gas admitted through said inlet pa sage tending to move the valve member in the valve chamber to unseat the valve, and spr ng means biasing the valve member to seated position.

12; A hand torch having a valve block provided with a bore extending into one end thereof forming a cylindrical valve chamber, said valve chamber having a conical end forming a valve seat within the valve block, the valve block be ng provided with an inlet gas passage communicating with the valve chamber at the apex of its conical end and also having an outlet gas passage communicating with the cylindrical portion of the valve chamber, a cyl ndrical rod-1i :e valve member movable longitudinally in the valve chamber and having a tapered end ada ted to cooperate with said conical valve seat and pro ecting at its op osite end out of the valve cham er. an annular groove formed in the tapered end of the valve member, an O-ring mounted in said annular groove, an annular groove formed in the cylindrical portion of the'val e m mber, an O-ring mounted in said last-mentioned annu ar groove, said last-mentioned annular groove and O-ring be ng located on the valve member at such a position that the O-ring always engages the cylin-, drical wall of the valve chamber closer to the open end of the valve chamber than the point at which said outlet gas passage communicates with it, the pressure of the gas admitted through said inlet passage tending to move the valve member in the valve chamber to unseat the valve, and spring means acting on the projecting end of the valve member and biasing the valve member to seated position.

13. A hand torch having a handle portion, a valve block having a valve chamber provided with a valve seat, a valve member movable in said chamber and having a portion cooperating with said seat, means for operating said valve member comprising a hand lever and a linkage means between the hand lever and the valve member, a mounting for pivotally supporting said hand lever, and a mounting for pivotally supporting said linkage means, said hand lever and said linkage means being interchangeably mountable on said mountings, said linkage means when mounted on either mounting extending from the hand lever to the valve member, and said hand lever and said linkage means being operable in either interchangeable position on said mountings to operate said valve member, whereby the torch may be arranged for operation of the valve member by said hand lever and linkage means in either of two positions at the election of the operator.

14. A hand torch as set forth in claim 13 in which said handle portion comprises a tubular member rotatably mounted on the torch and having a slot therein for reception of the hand lever and through which said linkage means ma be removed from the torch when it is desired to change the location of the hand lever.

15. A hand torch having a handle portion, a valve block having a valve chamber provided with a valve seat, a valve member movable in said chamber and having a portion cooperating with said seat, and means for operating said valve member comprising a hand lever and linkage between the hand lever and the valve member, said hand lever and linkage being mounted on the torch adjacent the handle portion of the torch, and said linkage comprising a member having a valve-contacting portion, a connecting link connecting said member to said handle lever, spring means mounted between and bearing against said valve contacting portion of said member and said connecting link, and a screw mounted in said valve contacting portion of said member, said connecting link having an enlarged opening through which said screw extends and said screw having a head larger than said enlarged opening to prevent passage of the free end of the screw through said opening.

EDWARD J. CLINTON, JR.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,237,535 Martin Aug. 21, 1917 1,404,011 Coberly Jan. 17, 1922 1,614,130 Jimerson Jan. 11, 1927 1,633,265 Morrison June 21, 1927 2,083,584 Wineman June 15, 1937 2,108,819 Jacobsson Feb. 22, 1938 2,197,979 Jones et al. Apr. 23, 1940 2,358,228 Hoof Sept. 12, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 776,594 France Nov. 8, 1934 

